Gauging and sorting machine



March 21, 1944. A, R. cARMlNA GAUGING AND SORTING MACHINE` Filed May 20, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l IHLUHFLH WITNESSES ATTORNEYS March 21, 1944. A. R. CARMINA GAUGING AND SORTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1942 -NHTV WTNESSEV'S vm TORNEYS March 21, 1944. A, R CARMINA 2,344,596

GAUGING AND SORTING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR JZljrec? R, Carmina. (57.* 4

f v WATTORNmgnc WITNESSES March 21, 1944. A, R CARMlNA 2,344,596

l GAUGING AND SORTING MACHINE Filed May 2o, 1942 5 sheets-shed 4 h n E .miu fr @s WITNESSES March 21, 1944. A, R, cARMlNA GAUGING AND SORTLNGMA'CHINE Filed May 20, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm O WITNESSES Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED. STATES vPATENT OFFICE GAUGING AND SORTING MACHINE 'Ain-ea n. Carmina, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 20, 1942. Serial No. 443,729

3 Claims. ('Cl. 209-88) This invention relates to an improved gauging and sorting machine for gauging the thickness of articles and thereafter assorting them in accordance with their gauge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine ofthe above character which will automatically gauge the thickness or other dimension of articles, and will thereafter distribute the articles or assort them in accordance with the size o f the article.

At the present time, it is customary to gaugethe thickness of mica and various other materials and articles with a measuring gauge which 1 will give a visual indication of the size of the article. Thereafter, the person operating the gauge will assort the articles in accordance with the visual indication. This is unsatisfactory because it requires the constantfattendance of an the danger of error, and which is of rugged con--Y struction so that it vwill not readily get out of order.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description of the drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of gauging and sorting apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a sectional viewin the direction of the arrows on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows on the line 4-4 of Fig. l, showing one of the conveyor receptacles discharging its contents;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the automatic feeding device `for feeding articles to the gauging mechanism; Y

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view in the direction of the arrows on the line 6-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view in the direction of the arrows on the line 1-1 ofv Fig. 6, showanism;

Fig. 8` is a detail view perspectlveofone unit in the automatic cam setting mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a detail view in transverse section of the control switch mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a view in section at right angles to the showing of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the wiring circuits for the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my invention as embodied in apparatus for gaging and sorting pieces of mica. However, it should be understood that the invention is equally applicable to apparatus for gauging and sorting other materials and articles.

The illustrated apparatus comprises automatic feeding mechanism l2, gauging mechanism I4, control switch mechanism l5, operated by the gauging mechanism, conveyor mechanism I6 in which the pieces of mica which have been gauged are deposited, and the automatic cam setting mechanism l1 which automatically adjusts cams associated with the conveyor mechanism for causing the conveyor receptacles to discharge their contents in the proper troughs or bins.

The apparatus is provided with a primary drive shaft 20 from which the various portions of the apparatus are driven. The drive shaft in turn may be operated by any suitable prime mover or drive shaft, as by means of a belt 2l.

To facilitate the understanding of my apparatus, I will separately describe each of the several portions of the apparatus listed above.

Automatic feeding mechanism .The automatic feeding mechanism is shown in Figs. 2,3 and 5, and comprises a trough 22 containing sheets of mica or other articles 23, which are to be gauged. The sheets of mica are fed by some suitable means (not shown) such as a spring, or gravity, towards the forward end of the trough, which is partially closed by means of the wall or flange 24.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the trough 22 is spaced laterally from the gauging mechanism I4, and I provide automatically operating mechanism for transferring the sheets of lmica individually from the trough to the gauging mechanism.

This mechanism comprises a small cylinder consisting of two mating or complementary portions 25 and 29, the portion 25 being mounted on a rotatable shaft 26 and being formed with oppositely disposed tubular arms 21 communicating at one end with the interior of the cylinder and being formed at their opposite ends with the yenlarged heads 28 disposed at right angles to the inner ends ofthe arms.

The section 29 of the cylinder` is. .xedly mounted on bracket 3D so as to be held against rotation, and is provided internally with a block 3| filling one-half of the interior of the cylinder, in the manner most clearly shown in Fig. 5. A tube 32 also connects with the section 29 and communicates with the hollow portion of the interior of the cylinder at one end, and at its opposite end is connected with a vacuum pump or some other suitable sclu'ce of suction I[not shown).

Shaft 2S is connected with the primary driving mechanism of the apparatus so as to cause the rotation of the section 25 and of the arms 21, in synchronism with the remainder of the apparatus. This connection may consist of a spiral gear 33 mounted near the end of shaft 26 and meshing with a spiral gear 34 which, in turn, is mounted on the same shaft 35 as bevel gear 36 which, in turn, meshes with bevel gear 31 mounted upon shaft 38 which is operatively connected to the primary drive shaft by means of sprocket chain 39.

It will thus be seen that the portion 25, of the cylinder, together With the connected arms 21, are caused to rotate. When the tubular arms 21 communicate with the hollow portion of the cylinder they are under suction. However, when they are obstructed by the solid portion 3l of the cylinder, they are no longer under suction. The arms are so arranged, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, that when they are on the right hand side of their path of movement, they will engage with the rst sheet of mica positioned in the trough 22. At this point the tubes are under suction and accordingly the sheet of mica will be held by suction against theenlarged head 28 of the arm.

As the arm rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the sheet of mica is withdrawn from the top of the trough, and finally when the arm reaches the left hand side of its path of movement, the sheet of mica will be held in position in the gauging mechanism. As the arm continues its path of movement, the inner lend thereof is abstructed by the block 3|, with the result that the suction or partial vacuum is broken and the sheet of mica is released from the end thereof and will be deposited in one off the receptacles of the conveying mechanism.

Gauging mechanism Any type of automatic gauging mechanism may be used in connection with my present apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, particularly in Figs. l and 2, I have illustrated one standard type of gauging mechanism comprising a xed gauging rod 4B and a movable gauging rod 4| between which the sheet of mica or other articles to be measured is positioned. The sheet of mica is placed against the stationary gauging rod 40 and the movable gauging rod 4| is then moved into contact with the opposite surface of the sheet so as to measure or indicate the thickness of the sheet.

The fixed rod 44 is suitably mounted in a bracket 42 supported upon the xed frarne43, while the movable rod 4| is mounted in a block 44 which is supported from, but shiftable with respect to, the frame 43. tween the block 44 and frame 43 whereby the block may shift, comprises a plurality of spring arms 45, most clearly shown in Fig. 2. Thus, lt will be seen that the block 44 and movable gauge The connection be,

assesses rod 4E may be shifted with respect to the frame 43, bracket 42 and fixed rod 40. The spring arms 45 are so arranged, however, as to normally hold the end of the gauge rod 4| in contact with the end of fixed gauge rod 43.

To facilitate the automatic operation of the apparatus, I also provide suitable mechanism for automatically shifting the movable gauge rod 4| away from the gauge rod 40 to permit the sheets of mica or other articles to be gauged, to be inserted between the gauge rods. This mechanism comprises a chain or other flexible member 46 connected at one end to the spring arms 45, and at its opposite end to spring 41 which, in turn, is connected to one end of the lever 48, pivotally mounted at its central portion to the frame 43. The opposite end of the lever 48 is provided with a projecting stud 49 which serves as a follower, and is positioned in the path of movement of cam 50, mounted on drive shaft 2D.

The cam 50 is provided with a dwell portion, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 which engages stud 49, with the result that the lever exerts a pulling force on spring 41 and chain 45 which, in turn, shifts the spring arms 45, block 44 and movable gauge rod 4| to the left, separating the ends of the gauge rods and permitting the insertion of the sheet of mica or other article to be measured. l

As the cam 5 rotates, and the dwell portion releases its engagement with the follower 49, the shiftable gauge rod 4| will move back towards the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, until it engages the sheet of mica disposed between the gauge rods. The relative position of the movable gauge rod 4| will then indicate the thickness or gauge of the sheet of mica.

To facilitate the determination and also utilization of changes in the relative position of the shiftable gauge rod 4|, I provide a pair of spring metal strips 5| and 52 which are connected together at their left hand ends, as viewed in Fig. 2. At its right hand end, as viewed in the same figure, spring metal strip 5| is attached to the shiftable blocl: 44, while the right hand end of spring strip 52 is attached to the fixed block 53, which, in turn, is mounted on the frame 43.

The spring strips 5| and 52 are so arranged that when the movable gauge rod 4| is in its normal position, in engagement with the end of the gauge rod 40, the spring strips will project in a straight line from the rear of the gauging mechanism.

Due to the fact that the left hand ends of the strips are xedly secured together, the shifting of the shiftable gauge rod 4| to the left will cause the spring strips to bend towards the fixed arm 43, and the greater the distance between the movable gauge rod 4| and the xed gauge rod 40, the greater the angle at which the spring strips will be disposed.

Control switch mechanism 6 and 51, the inner surface of arm 56 being longitudinally concave, and the inner surface of arm 51 being longitudinally convex.

An elliptical bearing member 58, connected to the end of the spring strips 5| and 52, engages between the arms 56 and 51 so that when the spring strips shift laterally, assuming an angular position, as previously explained, the bearing member 58 causes the contact arm 54 to pivot. When the spring strips 5| and 52 are in their normal position, projecting in a straight direction from the rear of the gauging mechanism |4, the contact arm also projects straight rearwardly in the same direction,' and assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

As the shiftabie gauge red u shifts to the left',

as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, bearingi member 58 causes the contact arm 54 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction. In this connection, the end of the contact arm may engage any one of the six fixed contact points 59 to 64, inclusive, depending upon the relative position of the shiftable gauge rod 4|. The contact arm 54 and contact points 59 to 64, inclusive, are connected in series with solenoids forming part of the automatic cam setting mechanism. Accordingly, when the contact arm 54 engages one of the contact points 59 to 64, inclusive, a particular solenoid will be operated in a manner hereinafter described, to cause a specific desired cam setting.

The circuit whereby this is accomplished is as follows: The contact arm 54 is connected by lead 65 to a spring contact 66 which cooperates with a second spring contact 81, connected by lead 68 to one side of a source of electric current. 'I'he spring contacts 65 and 61 are normally open. However, a cam arm 69, mounted on a primary drive shaft 20, causes the periodic closing of the contacts, thereby delivering electric current to the contact arm 54.

In order to prevent energization of the remainder of the machine through the contact arm, the arm may be provided with an insulating block 'l0 at a point between the pivotal connection 55 and the connection with lead 65, in the manner shown in Fig. 11. The contact points 59 to 64, inclusive, are connected by leads 1| to 16, inclusive, to the several solenoids of the automatic cam setting mechanism, as will be hereinafter described.

In the operation of the gauging mechanism, it will be seen that the automatic feed I2 delivers a sheet of mica to the space between gauge rod 40 and shiftable gauge rod 4| at a time when the dwell portion of cam 50 is in engagement with its follower 49, so that the shiftable gauge rod is spaced from the fixed gauge rod. Thereafter, the dwell portion of the cam releases its engagement with its follower, with the result that gauge rod 4I is released and shifts into engagement with the surface of the sheet of mica.

When shiftable gauge rod 4| moves towards the left, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, contact arm 54 is caused to pivot in a counter-clockwise dlrection over the top of the contact arms 59 to 64, inclusive, and the contact arm is so arranged as `to be normally spaced above the contact points so as to prevent any Wear on the points. When shiftable gauge rod 4| is released and again moves to the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, into engagement with the surface of the sheet of mica, the contact arm 54 will then pivot in a clockwise direction and will stop over the top of one of the contact points 59 to 64, depending upon the thickness of the sheet. If the sheet is very thin,

it will stop over the top of contact point 59. If the sheet is relatively thick, it will stop over the top of contact point 64.

After the shiftable gauge rod 4i has engaged the sheet of mica and the contact arm has come to rest over the top of the contact points, cam arm 69 engages and operates the spring contacts 66 and 61 so as to energize the contact arm 54. Simultaneously the magnet 11 is energized by the closing of the spring contacts 66 and 61, and this causes the contact arm to shift downwardly into engagement with the contact point overwhich it is disposed.

The arrangement of the magnet 11 is most clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10, where it will beseen that it is disposed beneath the insulating plate 18, immediately beneath the contact points l59 to 64. Above the contact points 58 to 64 and above the contact arm 54 is the armature 19 of the magnet, the said armature consisting of a bridge-like member having a pair of supporting posts at its opposite ends which extend through the insulating plate 18 and are mounted in the brackets 8|. So as to normally maintain the armature 19 in an elevated position, I provide springs 82 between the brackets 8| and collars 83 formed on the posts 80. When the magnet 11 is energized, it pulls the armature 19 downwardly into engagement with the Contact arm 54, forcing it downwardly into engagement with the fixed contact over which it is disposed, which operation causes the completion of the circuit to one of the solenoids in the automatic cam setting mechanism. Magnet 11 is connected by leads 84 and 85 to one side of the source of electric current and by lead 86 to the spring contact arm 66.

Conveyor mechanism The conveyor mechanism I6 which receives the sheets of mica after they have been gauged, and automatically assorts and deposits them in the proper chute or bin in accordance with their thickness, is shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 6, and

comprises an endless belt 81 supported at opposite ends on the pairs of sprocket wheels or pulleys 88 and 89.

In order to insure positive engagement between the sprocket wheels and belt, I preferably provide inwardly projecting teeth 90 on the belt which engage With complementary sockets formed in the sprockets 88 and 89. The endless belt is driven in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, by means of sprockets 88 which are fixed to the shaft 38 which, in turn, is driven by sprocket chain 39 from the primary drive shaft 29.

The endless belt and the primary drive shaft 29 are so synchronized that when the primary drive shaft 28 makes one complete revolution, the endless belt 81 moves a distance equivalent to the distance between the receptacles 9|, carried by the belt. In the present instance, the distance between the receptacles 9| occupies 60 on the circumference of the driving sprockets 88, and accordingly the ratio between the speed of rotation of shaft 20 and shaft 38 should be 6 to The receptacles 9| consist of small troughs pivotally mounted adjacent the central portion of the belt in spacedrelationship so that they may tilt laterally in either direction. The specific mounting for the receptacles, shown in the drawings, comprises pairs of brackets 92 pro- Jecting through slots formed in the central portion of the belt and fixedly secured to the belt by rivets or the like. Between each pair of brackets 92 is pivotally mounted an arm 93 supporting one of the receptacles 9|.

While the receptacles are positioned in the upper flight of the belt 81, the lower portion of the brackets 92 depends downwardly between a pair of tracks 94 supported on platform 95 located intermediate the two flights of the belt.

Due to the fact that the receptacles 9| are pivoted on the brackets 92, it will be seen that they they may tilt laterally in either direction and assume the position shown in Fig. 4, so as to discharge the mica or other contents deposited in the receptacle.

So as normally to maintain the receptacle in upright position, I provide a guide member in the form of a transverse bar or rod 96, adapted to rest and ride upon the upper surface of the tracks 94 and provided with a centrally positioned upright portion 91 having a stud 98 engaging in a slot formed in the lower portion of arm 93. Beneath the upright 91 the rod 96 is formed with a depending portion which is pivotally connected to the lower portion of the brackets 92, as shown at 99.

It will thus be seen that the guide member serves normally to maintain the receptacles 9| in an upright position. In the path of travel around the endless belt, each receptacle passes beneath the gauging mechanism, and after the piece of mica has been gauged, it is released by the automatic feeding mechanism and is deposited in the receptacle. Thereafter, it is conveyed by the receptacle to one of the six troughs, f

indicated by the numerals to |06, inclusive. The receptacle then tilts laterally in the direction of one of the troughs and discharges the piece of mica. The specific trough in which the mica is discharged is determined by the gauge or thickness thereof.

In order to cause the receptacle to tilt laterally in this manner, and discharge its contents, I provide a pair of shiftable cams |01 and |08 on each of the transverse bars 96. The cams |01 and |08 may shift laterally on the transverse bar and I provide on the bar a number of predetermined positions, marked by the recesses |09, which are engaged by the spring-pressed balls ||0 carried by the shiftable cam mountings.

Cooperating with the shiftable cams are six fixed cams mounted on the platform 95 and indicated by the numerals to H6, inclusive. The cam is positioned adjacent the trough lill. The cam ||2 is positioned adjacent the trough |02, and so on. It will thus be seen that shiftable cam |01 may be adjusted to engage any one of the iixed cams ||3 or ||5, and that shiftable cam |08 may be adjusted to engage any one of the fixed cams ||2, |I4 or ||6. When the shiftable cams are in their innermost position adjacent the tracks 94, they will not engage any of the fixed cams.

When shiftable cam |01 is adjusted to engage fixed cam it will cause transverse bar 96 to pivot towards the left, in the manner shown in Fig. 4, with the result that the receptacle will be caused to tilt towards the right, as viewed in the same figure, discharging its contents into trough |0|. Similarly, by adjusting the shiftable cam |01 to engage iixed cams ||3 or ||5, the receptacle can be caused to discharge its contents in either of troughs |03 or |05. Also, by adjusting the cam |08 to engage cams ||2, ||4 or IIB, the i cated by the numeral |3|.

receptacle can be caused to discharge its contents in any one of the troughs |02, |04 or |06.

Accordingly, the specic trough in which the receptacle is caused to discharge its contents, is determined by the setting of the adjustable cams |01 and |08, and the setting of .the cams is controlled by the control switch mechanism I5. VThe specific contact 59 to 64, which is engaged by the contact arm 54 is, in turn, determined by the gauge or thickness of the piece of mica in the gauging mechanism |4. Under the circumstances, it will be appreciated that the receptacles 9| serve to assort or classify the pieces of mica in accordance with their gauge or thickness. To facilitate the tilting of the transverse bars 96 when the adjustable cams engage the fixed cams, I preferably provide the tracks 94 with cut-out portions ||1 on the sides of the tracks opposite the fixed cams. Also, in order to prevent the elevation or distortion of belt 81 when the receptacles are tilted to discharge their contents, I provide guide brackets ||8 adjacent the troughs and having portions overlapping the upper surface of the top iiight of the belt, preferably provided with rollers ||9 to minimize friction.

Automatic cam setting mechanism In order to provide for the automatic setting of the adjustable cams |01 and |8 in accordance with the gauge or thickness of the pieces of mica gauged by the gauging mechanism, I provide six electromagnets or solenoids, indicated by the numerals |2| to |26, inclusive, adapted to set the adjustable cam |01 or 03 so as to engage the fixed cams to ||6, inclusive. The solenoid |2| is arranged so as to set adjustable cam |01 to engage xed cam while solenoids |23 and |25 are arranged so as to set the same cam to engage fixed cams ||3 and ||5, respectively. Similarly, solenoids |22, |24 and |26 are arranged to set cam |08 to engage fixed cams ||2, ||4 and IIS, respectively.

It will be seen that one end of the winding of solenoid |2| is connected to the fixed contact 59 by lead 1|, while one end of the winding of solenoid |22 is connected to xed contact 60 by lead 12, and one end of the winding of solenoids |23, |24, |25 and |26 are connected by leads 13, 14, 15 and 16 to the fixed contacts 6|, 62, 63 and 64, respectively. The opposite ends of the windings of the solenoids are connected by leads |21 and |28 to the opposite side of the source of electric current.

Each of the solenoids is provided with shiftable armature cores |29, normally held in advanced position by means of the springs |30. When the solenoids are energized they retract the armature cores against the tension of the springs |30. The armatures of the respective solenoids are provided with arms adapted to engage the adjustable cams |01 or |08 and to set them to the proper predetermined position when the solenoids are energized. The arms connected to the armatures of solenoids |2| and |22 are similar, and are indi- Similarly, the arms connected to the armatures of solenoids |23 and |24 are similar, and are indicated by the numeral |32, and the arms connected to the armatures of solenoids |25 and |26 are also similar, and are indicated by the numeral |33.

The solenoids are positioned immediately beneath the gauging mechanism |4 and the arms |3| to |33 are provided with hooked offset portions, in the manner most clearly shown in Fig. 7, adapted to engage the adjustable cams |01 and |08 of the receptacle 9| when it is positioned beneath the gauging mechanism so as to receive the piece of mica after it has been gauged.

The operation of the arms |3I, 32 and |33 of both sets of solenoids is similar and accordingly, in order to understand the manner in which the solenoids operate to set or adjust the cams |01 or |08, it will only be necessary to describe the operation of one group of arms. We will accordingly describe theoperation of solenoids |2|, |23, |25, and their associated arms so as to show the manner in which they adjust cam |01.

When solenoid |2| is energized, it retracts arm |3|, causing the offset portion thereof, indicated at |34, to engage pivotally mounted cam stop |35, shifting it upwardly. At the same time the hooked end of arm |3| engages adjustable cam |01 and shifts it outwardly along the transverse bar 96 until the adjustable cam engages the cam shaft |35. At this point there is preferably an aperture or recess |09 in the upper surface of bar 96 which is engaged by the spring-pressed ball in the adjustable cam mounting. The adjustable cam is then adjusted or set so as to engage fixed cam III when the receptacle is shiftedby the conveyor belt to the proper predetermined position. It will be seen that, when solenoid 2| is deenergized, the armature is released and cam stop |35 again drops back into position out of the path of movement of the adjustable cam.

When solenoid |23v is energized, it causes arm |32 to retract until the offset portion thereof engages cam stop |36, which is similar to cam stop |35, but is positioned nearer to the edge of the supporting platform 95 so as to permit a greater outward movement of arm |32. Arm |32 accordingly will shift adjustable cam |01 outwardly on bar 36 until cam stop |36 has been elevated and engaged by the adjustable cam. Another aperture or recess |09 is located at this point on the upper surface of bar 96 and is engaged by the springpressed ball ||0. The adjustable cam |01 is then in the path of movement of x'ed cam ||3.

When solenoid |25 is energized, it causes arm |33 to retract. This arm extends outwardly in a straight direction from the armature and no cooperating cam stop is provided for this arm. Accordingly, arm |33 and its associated armature is permitted to shift its ent-ire normal dis-V tance when the solenoid |25 is energized. Arm

|33 is so arranged as to engage cam |01 when r |40 are provided to returnthe adjustable cams 01 and |08 to their normal position.

Operation The operation of my improved gaging and sorting machine is as follows: The automatic feeding mechanism transfers a piece of mica from the feed trough 22 to vthe gauging mechaill nism I4. at a time. when shiftable gauge rod 4| is retracted from xed gauge rod l40. When the piece of mica is positioned in front of fixed gauge rod 40 the shiftable gaugef'rod is released and permitted to shift into contact with the surface of the piece of mica.

The specific point at which the shiftable gauge rod is arrested by the surface of the mica determines the angle at which the member 58 is disposed, and accordingly determines the contact point 59 to 64 which is engaged by the contact arm 54. If the mica is relatively thick, contact arm 54 will engage contact 64. If it is relatively thin. contact arm 54 will engage contact 59.

After contact arm 54 shifts to a position over the proper contact point, cam arm 69 causes spring contact 61 to engage spring contact 66, with the result that electromagnet 11 is energized, with the result that contact arm 54 is drawn downwardly into engagement with the selected contact point, and the circuit of the proper solenoid 2| tol |26 is completed. The energized solenoid causes adjustable cam |01 or |08 to shift to the proper position so as to engage one of the xed cams to ||6. At the same time the gauging of the piece of mica is completed and it is released by the automatic feeding mechanism and drops into the conveyor receptacle positioned beneath the gauging mechanism.

When the receptacle moves to a position adjacent the proper trough, the adjustable cam |01 or |08 engages one of the fixed cams, depending upon their setting, with the result that the receptacle is tilted and the contents thereof discharged into one of the troughs.

It will thus be seen that my improved apparatus automatically gauges a sheet of mica or any other material or article, and automatically assorts it or classifies it in accordance with its gauge. It will also be seen that the apparatus is positive in its operation and eliminates or minimizes the danger of error.

It should be understood that the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings is merely intended as illustrative of my invention, and I d o not intend to limit my invention to the specific embodiment shown and described herein.

I claim: i

1'. Gauging and sorting apparatus including gauging means for gauging the thickness of sheet material conveyor means comprising an endless belt positionedbeneath the gauging means and having a plurality of pivotally mounted receptacles thereon, each adapted to receive an article which has been gauged by the gauging means, said receptacles being shiftable between an upright position and a tilting position to discharge their contents, a plurality of stations adjacent the conveyor and each adapted to receive a sheet of material of different predetermined thickness, means for normally holding the receptacles in upright position, means including adjustable cams for causing the receptacles to tilt and discharge their contents at any one of the stations, and control means for adjusting the cams in accordance with thethickness of the sheet material being gauged, comprising. a plurality of fixed contacts, a movable contact arm pivotally mounted adjacent the xed contacts and operatively connected to the gauging means so as to be shiftable over the top of any one of the fixed contacts depending upon the thickness of the sheet material being gauged, means including an electromagnet positioned beneath the xed contacts for drawing the movable contactr arm into engagement with a xed contact, a plurality of'circuits controlled by the contacts, a plurality of electromagnets, each connected in one of the circuits and an armature for each of the electromagnets formed so as to engage and adjust an adjustable cam when its electromagnet is energized.

2. In a machine of the class descriced, the combination of a continuously traveling support, conveyor receptacles arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, means tiltably connecting each of said receptacles with said support and including a fixed bearing bracket on said support and an arm on the receptacle; notched tracks, said bracket riding in contact with said tracks to steady said support, a rocker connected Vwith each bracket and normally riding on said `tracks during part of its travel with thel bracket to prevent rocking movement thereof, the notches in said tracks enabling the rocker to be rocked, said rocker being articulated with the arm of the related receptacle to hold the latter in non-tilted position during the travel of the receptacle to a predetermined point, and means to operate the rocker to tilt its receptacle at said point.

3. In a machine of the character described; a traveling support having receptacles, each of said receptacles being movable to an upright position and a tilted position, means for normally holding each receptacle in the upright position, means including cams for causing each of the receptacles to move into the tilted position; and control mechanism for adjusting said cams to cause the selective operation of said receptacles, said mechanism including a plurality of fixed contacts, a movable contact arm adjacent the fixed contacts cooperable therewith, and means including an electromagnet positioned to draw the Contact arm into engagement with a fixed contact, a plurality of circuits controlled by said contacts, a plurality of electromagnets in said circuits respectively, and an armature for each of said last electromagnets to engage and adjust a particular cam when its electromagnet is energized.

ALFRED R. CARMINA. 

